Two elections, worldwide implications

Two weeks, two different elections with implications for Jews worldwide.

Israel’s election looks to have left the Knesset in a stalemate, with neither bloc in a strong position to cobble together a majority government.

Though 67 seats are held by MKs opposed to incumbent PM Netanyahu, the Arab parties’ stunning haul of 19 seats mean opposition leaders have pledged themselves into a corner.

They will either have to break promises not to rely on Arab support – something Yisrael Beitenu’s Avigdor Liberman has again rejected – or potentially align with United Torah Judaism, which would mean compromising on promises to draft the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF.

While Netanyahu has no path to a majority, his incumbency favours him; he remains caretaker prime minister while negotiations continue or, if no government is able to be formed, until a repeat election. And as analysts have pointed out, he may well fare better next time around.